Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

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How one family may help break code in heart disease

The New York Times published a feature article that detailed a research effort to unravel the genetic underpinnings of cardiovascular disease. Members of one family with a history of heart-related deaths have agreed to participate in the study.

HRS: Watchman bumps out warfarin in PROTECT AF

The Watchman wait may be over. An analysis of long-term data found the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device to be superior to warfarin for primary efficacy and mortality.

Conference conundrum

This week three different societies held or are holding cardiovascular scientific sessions packed with clinical presentations and programs that address everything from policy to payment structures. Choosing which talks within any given conference to attend—or miss—is a conundrum.

AATS: Certification failure rates rise post 80-hour work week

Failure rates for residents taking the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) examination overall took a hit since implementation of the 80-hour residency work week, according to a presentation May 7 at the annual American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) meeting in Minneapolis.

AATS: Low-dose anticoagulation safe in some valve patients

A less aggressive approach to anticoagulation therapy after implantation of a bileaflet mechanical valve appears to be safe, according to an interim report from the PROACT trial presented May 6 at the annual American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) meeting in Minneapolis.

Statins may lower risk of death from prostate cancer

Statin users diagnosed with prostate cancer were less likely to die from the disease compared with nonstatin users, according to results of a prospective, population-based study published online May 1 in The Prostate.

UnitedHealth Group grants more than $1 million for the Heart of New Ulm project

UnitedHealth Group and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, in conjunction with Allina Health and the community of New Ulm, Minn., recently announced two grants from the company totaling more than $1 million. The grants will fund weight management and nutrition initiatives for Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project (HONU), a research and demonstration project with a goal of reducing heart attacks in New Ulm, Minn.

Persistence pays off: FDA OKs Merck’s combo drug

The FDA approved the combo tablet ezetimibe and atorvastatin for the treatment of elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia.

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